If one is not called

[patrickveech]

God has a plan for each of us, I understand. Now, is it possible to go against that plan, that calling? For instance, if I felt called to go to Europe and be a priest, but I remained in Chicago to fight the Mafia cause, what do you make of it? Am I defying God’s plan, or actually realizing what it is?

 

[Spirithound]

God has a plan for each of us, I understand. Now, is it possible to go against that plan, that calling? For instance, if I felt called to go to Europe and be a priest, but I remained in Chicago to fight the Mafia cause, what do you make of it? Am I defying God’s plan, or actually realizing what it is?

That is discernment, my friend. If we go against the vocation God has in mind for us, I don’t think that can be considered, on its own, a sin. If we somehow don’t choose His choice, He still works with us though.

 

[Denae]

God gives us the special graces to live out the calling that He gives us. However, because He has so lovingly given us free will, we can choose to not go where He calls us. It’s not a sin, you just may have regrets later because you have the graces to live out another calling. But nothing is impossible with God. Just pray.

 

[Ohwesty]

Yes, it is possible to go against God’s plan. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten and guide you. Surrender your life to Him and see where He leads you. If God is calling you to be a priest in Europe, then that small, still voice will not go away, and He will open doors and you will find yourself in Europe.

If that doesn’t happen, then maybe God wants to you stay in Chicago to fight the mafia. In any case, tell God that your desire is to live completely according to His plan – to be the best “Patrick” that you can be. You can do that anywhere and in any line of work.

Remember too that God’s “timing” is not ours. Sometimes God says “wait.” So while a vocation to the priesthood might be in your destiny, it might not be your immediate destiny. The wind often changes, and we really can’t control the direction of the wind. But we can always adjust our sails.

• Westy

 

[mattkubes]

Just to reiterate what others have said, a call from God is His way of showing us a path to Holiness. And while He is obviously the perfect source to trust is the matter, it’s not a sin if we choose not to follow one of these calls (but we should balance these decisions with the fact that God knows what is best for us).